Where are the Menhaden?

There are a few, small scattered schools of menhaden, or pogies, around the mid Bay, but no large numbers of them. There is also a lack of large stripers in the Bay since the two seem to go together at this time of year. There is also a noticeable lack of boating activity in the Bay as I am guessing most boaters are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the menhaden and large stripers to arrive. With the price of gas through the roof, most boat fishermen probably figure it is not worth the cost of fuel to get out there to plug for the 20-30 inch stripers that make up the bulk of the fish in the Bay right now. It is very late in the spring to be without large numbers of menhaden. Since we know the menhaden population is at a low level, I have to wonder if we are even going to see them at all this year in the Seekonk River and the Upper Bay.